By BRIAN SHYPULA, Beacon Herald Staff

Perth-Wellington MPP Randy Pettapiece is holding a public town hall meeting to constituents a chance to voice their concerns about wind energy.

The meeting is being held at Elma Memorial Community Centre in Atwood on March 14 at 7p.m.

“When it comes to wind turbines, the McGuinty government has not been serious about consulting the public,” Pettapiece said in a release. “If they won’t, we will.”

Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson and Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli also plant to be at the gathering to to hear from residents of Perth-Wellington. Fedeli is the Progressive Conservative critic for energy. Thompson’s critic responsibilities focus on issues related to the Green Energy Act.

“Industrial wind farms are a very hot topic, and people are concerned,” said Pettapiece.

His office continues to receive frequent letters and e-mails from constituents.

The release said Pettapiece plans to take the feedback from the meeting to the provincial government.

Wind farms were a critical issue, particularly in the northern part of this riding, during the provincial election which saw Pettapiece defeat two-term MPP and former environment minister John Wilkinson. Anti-turbine advocates actively campaigned against Wilkinson during the election.

There are citizens groups opposed to turbines in Perth East, West Perth, North Perth and nearly Huron East.

Late last year Pettapiece asked Environment Minister Jim Bradley in an open letter for an extension of the appeal period for a 10-turbine wind farm in Mapleton Township in his riding.